Extruder assembly for a three-dimensional object printer
AssigneeXerox Corporation
InventorsDavid A. Mantell, Peter J. Nystrom, Christopher G. Lynn
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An extruder assembly for a three-dimensional object has an extrusion slot to enable faster three-dimensional object printing with greater precision. The extruder assembly includes an extruder body having an extrusion slot to enable a continuous filament of material to be extruded through the extrusion slot and at least one actuator operatively connected to the extruder body. The at least one actuator is configured to translate the extruder body in a horizontal plane and rotate the extruder body about a rotational axis.
Claims20
An extruder assembly for a three-dimensional object printing system comprising:
- an extruder body having an extrusion slot to enable a continuous filament of material to be extruded through the extrusion slot;
- and
- at least one actuator operatively connected to the extruder, the at least one actuator being configured to translate the extruder body in a horizontal plane and rotate the extruder body about a rotational axis.
A method of forming a three-dimensional build object, comprising:
- extruding build material through an extrusion slot of an extruder body of an extruder assembly;
- translationally moving the extruder body in a horizontal plane with the at least one actuator while extruding build material so as to form a continuous ribbon of build material;
- and
- rotating the extruder body about a rotational axis with the at least one actuator while extruding the build material.
An extruder assembly for a three-dimensional object printing system comprising:
- an extruder body having an extrusion slot to enable a continuous filament of material to be extruded through the extrusion slot;
- at least one first actuator operatively connected to the extruder, the at least one first actuator being configured to translate the extruder body in a horizontal plane;
- at least one shutter body;
- and
- a second actuator operatively connected to the at least one shutter body, the second actuator being configured to move the at least one shutter body selectively over the extrusion slot to close a first portion of the extrusion slot and reduce a width of the filament extruded through the extrusion slot.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.